The Deputy Director-Aging/Disability Services serves as a vital member of the SSD executive team. Under general direction, provides executive management, leadership, and direction for the operations of the ADS/MN Choices division so that policies are developed, priorities are established, and programs are implemented in an integrated way across Ramsey County. The major focus is on division wide operations; organizational evaluation and change; and on support of Ramsey County services to assure high quality programs within the framework of applicable state and federal laws and rules. Performs related work as required.
Successful candidates will have will have experience in management and disability MN choices policy and programs. Experience in a community based and/or government setting working with and leading aging/disability services and MN Choices.
The Director of ADS/MN Choices leads the teams that assists and supports the people of Ramsey County receiving aging and disability services screened by MN CHOICES. This includes integrated assessments and support planning for elderly Minnesotans and people of all ages who have any type of disability or need for long-term services and supports.
The basic functions of this position are to direct, administer and manage a Division of the Social Services Department that provides services to families, adults and children; to coordinate services with other department and county organizations; to establish and maintain relationships and coordination with community organizations; to direct the allocation of staff and fiscal resources of the division; to provide direction in delivery of social services programs to meet prescribed outcomes; to recommend County Board policies and procedures regarding services; to participate in the overall management of the Social Services Department; and to perform related duties as assigned.
An ideal candidate will possess the following competencies:
Leadership
- Demonstrate an ability to create, communicate and advance a compelling and inspired vision and sense of purpose that will motivate individuals and positively influence the current and future state of Ramsey County.
- Leading and managing a team of managers overseeing ADS services and the MN Choices assessment and re-assessment process.
- In partnership with ADS/MN Choices managers and other leaders across SSD, develop tools for ongoing performance and financial review of services and process.
- Demonstrates a strong commitment to the vision, mission, values, and goals of the County.
- Demonstrate a high level of integrity and strong ethics and values. Leads by example and displays honest and ethical behavior in all interactions, ensures that actions and words are consistent, and there is follow through on commitments.
- Willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
- Demonstrate an ability to set expectations, delegate responsibilities, trust the leadership and abilities of individuals on their team to achieve results, while being accessible to problem solve, provide counsel, and offer opinions and direction when necessary.
- Represent division to County Board members and County Board committees on matters relating to ADS/MN Choices.
Advancing Racial Equity
- Demonstrate knowledge and experience in advancing racial and healthcare initiatives.
- Demonstrate a commitment to the discipline through continuing education, attainment of relevant practices, and involvement in professional organizations.
- Demonstrate a personal passion for eliminating race-based disparities and fostering a welcoming culture that engages the broad diversity of the community and ensures racial equity for populations engaged and served.
Decision Making and Problem Solving
- Demonstrates an advanced ability to facilitate problem-solving, recognize positive results, manage conflict, and negotiate satisfactory outcomes.
- Demonstrates ability to oversee and direct multiple and simultaneous projects that have the highest organizational and community impact, and which may have changing priorities and require adjustments mid-stream.
Communication
- Demonstrates an ability to effectively listen, speak, write, present, facilitate, interact in a persuasive manner, and diffuse difficult situations and manage conflict appropriately with public and private individuals and groups. Ability to read an audience and adapt accordingly.
- Demonstrates an ability to produce timely, accurate, and easily understood information to ensure effective communication with the intended audience.
This position will remain open until filled however, interested applicants should be mindful of the timeline for filling the position and apply as soon as possible with this in mind.
- First interviews will be conducted the week of February 26th, 2024
- Second interviews will be conducted the week of March 11th, 2024
Interested applicants should include a cover letter detailing any how they meet the required qualifications and professional resume.
Flexible Workplace
This position is identified under the designation of ‘flex work eligible’, meaning that the employee can formally opt to be in-office full-time or work a flex schedule in which at least two-days per week are performed in office and other days can be performed in a remote-first environment. Regardless of selection, the position carries expectations regarding on-site responsibilities and will require schedule flexibility beyond the minimum expectations set forth in the county’s flexible workplace policy. To view Ramsey County’s Flexible Workplace policy, go to: Flexible Workplace policy (Download PDF reader).
If an internal candidate is selected, salary will be set in accordance with the personnel rules (i.e., promotion, transfer, or voluntary reduction).
To view or print a copy of the complete Ramsey County job description for this job, go to: Job Descriptions. Once at this page, you can browse the alphabetical list or search for a job description.
Responsibilities
Examples of Work Performed
- Promote a diverse, culturally-responsive, and respectful workplace.
- Administer and direct the delivery of services to clients, assuring high quality, culturally diverse and respectful service that meets the needs of the County’s residents.
- Coordinate and integrate the delivery of services with related Department, County, school and community services.
- Organize, administer and direct functions of the Division such as the detoxification center, mental health and chemical dependency evaluation and treatment, child welfare, child and adult protection, foster care, childcare, pre-petition screening, case management, and service to individuals with disabilities.
- Establish relationships with individuals and groups in the community for problem-solving, service coordination and mutual goal setting.
- Establish and sustain robust community engagement processes and strategies.
- Ensure that resources are used to accomplish needed outcomes and are in compliance with laws, rules, regulations and practice standards.
- Analyze and evaluate existing policies and procedures for the division; and formulate and implement new or revised ones that insure timely, effective and legal delivery of services and racial equity impacts.
- Develop the division's administrative and service policies and procedures, to provide for consistent administration of the division and required standards of services to clients.
- Establish division goals, objectives and priorities to best meet the service needs of the community.
- Assess program performance, analyze changing conditions affecting service delivery (e.g. legislation, rules, regulations, service demands, budget), and develop and implement plans, policies or procedures to modify or expand services to meet these changing demands for direct and purchased services.
- Meet with elected officials and state representatives to influence policy decisions or to explain the policies, procedures and practices of the department.
- Participate in community collaborative and partnerships toward the goal of identifying and implementing collaborative strategies directed toward the agency mission.
- Determine projected impact of new or revised state and federal legislation and community factors to assure budget and program planning is consistent with the changing environment; develop and maintain division capacity to adapt to changes to support responsible and responsive service delivery.
- Represent the County and Department before the news media, community agencies, and state officials to explain County policies, procedures and services.
- Analyze or explain practices; or support requested action as necessary to maintain or enhance services.
- Meet regularly with County Board members and County Board committees on matters relating to the division.
- Participate in the overall management of the department through membership on the Department’s management team and through individual consultation with other directors to insure consistency with departmental mission and objectives.
(The work assigned to a position in this classification may not include all possible tasks in this work and does not limit the assignment of any additional tasks in this classification. Regular attendance according to the position’s management approved work schedule is required.)
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 17.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Master's degree in social work, psychology, business administration, public administration or related field.
Experience: Seven years of progressive responsibility in supervision, program management or administration of social services functions, including two years experience in a public or private social service agency.
Substitution: A Bachelor’s Degree in social work, psychology, business administration, public administration or a related field and two years of additional related experience may substitute for the Master’s Degree.
Certifications/Licensure: None.
Exam/Screening Process Information
This is an unclassified, at-will position, holding a confidential relation to the department head or elected official. This position requires an open screening and selection process. There is no exam for this unclassified, at-will, position. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be forwarded to the department for consideration.
Definition of Unclassified from the Ramsey County Personnel Act:
Subdivision 1. General. "The appointing authority may discharge employees in the unclassified service with or without cause. Employees in the unclassified service have no right to a grievance appeal from discharge or other disciplinary action under sections 383A.281 to 383A.301. An employee in an unclassified position shall not have tenure but shall be entitled to all benefits associated with tenure such as vacation leave, sick leave, health insurance, and other benefits as determined by the county board."
Interested candidates may apply by completing the online application and attaching a resume and cover letter detailing their experience including the size of the organization(s) and scope of responsibilities.
To print a paper application for this posting click Paper Application (Download PDF reader).
Criminal Background Checks: All employment offers are conditioned upon the applicant passing a criminal background check. Convictions are not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought. However, making false statements or withholding information will cause you to be barred from appointment, or removed from employment.
E-Verify Participation: Ramsey County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Ramsey County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Ramsey County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on the Form I-9.
Equal Opportunity Employer: Ramsey County provides equal access to employment, programs and services without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex (except when sex is a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification), disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, public assistance or national origin.
The letter of interest, resume and the application may be sent electronically by attaching the materials to the online posting. If you have difficulty uploading your resume or cover letter you may contact Nirvana.wallace@ramseycounty.us.
Ramsey County
Saint Paul, MN 55101
US
